or


[11/03/21 - 11:53 AM]
BET Studios in Partnership with Klutch Sports Group Present "KLUTCH Academy"
"KLUTCH Academy" documents KLUTCH Sports Group - led by CEO Rich Paul - as they prepare six college basketball prospects for pro careers.

[via press release from BET]

BET STUDIOS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KLUTCH SPORTS GROUP PRESENT "KLUTCH ACADEMY" -- A NEW ORIGINAL FIVE-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY KLUTCH CEO RICH PAUL, KENYA BARRIS' KHALABO INK SOCIETY AND TOLLIN PRODUCTIONS

Premiering November 23 at 11PM/10c on BET, the Unscripted Series will Follow Six NBA Hopefuls on their Journey to the Draft and Off Season

NEW YORK, NY - November 3, 2021 - BET Studios, in partnership with Rich Paul and KLUTCH Sports Group, present a new original documentary series, "KLUTCH Academy" - a five-part unscripted series to be executive produced by Paul and his KLUTCH Originals banner, Kenya Barris, and the creative team behind the award-winning docuseries The Last Dance, Mike Tollin and Jon Weinbach. "KLUTCH Academy" documents KLUTCH Sports Group - led by CEO Rich Paul - as they prepare six college basketball prospects for pro careers. These talented athletes possess the potential to be stars in the league but will need to work through areas of improvement on and off the court to achieve success and one day reach superstardom. Each one-hour episode will candidly reveal what players and agents experience in the process leading up to the Draft - and showcase that KLUTCH is more than an agency... it's a tightknit group dedicated to developing young men for life in the NBA and beyond. "KLUTCH Academy" premieres November 23 at 11pm ET/10c on BET.

"With Kenya Barris, Rich Paul, Mike Tollin and Jon Weinbach all on board for KLUTCH Academy, we couldn't have hoped for a better inaugural project for BET Studios," said Aisha Summers Burke, Executive Vice-President and General Manager of BET Studios. "The BET Studios venture is all about giving creators an opportunity to tell stories that have yet to be told, and KLUTCH Sports has a remarkable background and history that we know will resonate with our audiences, which is why we're so glad the series found its home right here on BET."

"These young men work their entire lives to get a shot at becoming a professional athlete, and at KLUTCH we invest the time and care to help them succeed not only as players, but as human beings prepared to meet all of life's challenges," said Paul. "It's an honor to work with Kenya and BET to share our rookies' powerful stories, and I'm excited for audiences to get a glimpse at the incredible work my team does every day to help athletes achieve and sustain success."

"There is no denying the impact that Rich has had. He and the Klutch Team have pushed boundaries and completely shifted the narrative," Barris commented. "And while buzzwords like disruptor and super agent are fitting, it's the work that they do with these young men, behind the scenes and off-the-court, that is the most impressive and I'm excited for viewers to get a glimpse beyond the headlines into that part of their story."

"KLUTCH Academy" will give audiences a 'courtside' seat to the progression these young athletes undergo as they transition from college into the pros - from signing with an agent to training for pro competition to Draft day anxiety and off-season preparation to managing personal relationships and the challenges young Black men in their unique circumstances face. The show will also pay tribute to Terrence Clarke, who tragically passed away the day after signing with KLUTCH. The cast features a roster of talent who recently had their lives changed being drafted into the NBA.

· Brandon Boston Jr. - A former University of Kentucky Forward from small-town Norcross, Georgia, Brandon was selected as the 51st pick by the LA Clippers. The loss of his best friend and college teammate Terrence Clarke in a tragic car accident weighs heavily on Brandon, but also drives him to stay focused and make the most of the opportunity to realize his childhood dream.

· Kai Jones - Hailing from the tiny island of the Bahamas, this former University of Texas Forward was selected 10th by the Charlotte Hornets. At 6-foot-11, Kai is the tallest of the KLUTCH prospects, but he's not nearly "NBA big" yet. He must add weight and show his team he can compete against the world's best players, has the discipline to work in the weight room and will be ready when his number is called.

· Jalen Johnson - A year ago, Jalen was projected the potential number one overall pick of the 2021 Draft. After leaving Duke University, one of college basketball's iconic programs, questions surfaced about his maturity. But Jalen's older brother relocated to help him navigate the process of turning pro and is learning everything he can from Rich and the KLUTCH team about managing the day-to-day of NBA pros. Jalen was drafted as the 20th pick by the Atlanta Hawks.

· Moses Moody - Moses had an excellent freshman season at Arkansas, and his combination of size and shooting ability placed him on numerous pro scouts' radar. Now more than ever - after being selected 14th by the Golden State Warriors - he feels the pressure of being the one who will change his family's future forever.

· Jericho Sims - A breakout performance at this year's combine trended Sims's draft stock upwards. His 44.5-inch vertical leap (the third highest in NBA Combine history) caught the eyes of NBA scouts and the KLUTCH team. But physicality is simply one phase of a player's game - selected 58th to the New York Knicks, Jericho faces the challenge of breaking out of his shell to impress NBA front office staff.

· Scottie Lewis - As a top-rated high school player, Scottie was projected to be a future first-round Draft pick, but a few lackluster seasons at the University of Florida caused doubts about his game. Redemption came in the 2021 NCAA tournament with a stellar performance that turned his fortune around. Picked 56th to the Charlotte Hornets, Scottie will need to work extra hard to prove he has what it takes to make it in the league.

· Terrence Clarke - Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Terrence was an accomplished athlete, son, brother, and friend who touched the lives of everyone he encountered. A top prospect from the University of Kentucky, the KLUTCH team and prospects are devastated by his tragic passing but work side by side with his family to make sure his legacy lives on forever.

"KLUTCH Academy" is executive produced by Rich Paul and Fara Leff for KLUTCH Originals, the production arm of KLUTCH Sports Group; Mike Tollin and Jon Weinbach serve as Executive Producers; Kenya Barris serves as Executive Producer through his company Khalabo Ink Society; Tiffany Lea Williams serves as Executive Producer for BET; Mike Gleaton serves as Executive Producer and Showrunner.

For more information visit BET.com. Follow @bet across social media and join the conversation using the hashtag #KlutchAcademy.

# # #

About BET

BET, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African American audience. The primary BET channel is in 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET's growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

About KLUTCH Originals

KLUTCH Originals is a media and content company that serves as the production arm for KLUTCH Sports Group, the premier agency representing the world's biggest athletes across major professional sports founded by Rich Paul, KLUTCH Sports' CEO and Head of Sports at United Talent Agency. A provider of premium original content, KLUTCH Originals is currently in development on multiple projects across scripted, unscripted, digital and podcasts.

Founded in 2012, KLUTCH is minority-owned and women-led. KLUTCH's unique, 360 approach helps clients at any stage of their career maximize opportunities across the rapidly changing entertainment, media and business landscape, and provides strategic support in partnerships, branding, communications, social responsibility and more. With proven expertise in the intersections of sports, entertainment and culture, KLUTCH connects top teams, major leagues and properties with global brands. In 2019 KLUTCH partnered with United Talent Agency (UTA), and in April, KLUTCH was recognized on TIME Magazine's first-ever list of TIME100 Most Influential Companies.





  [november 2021]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· KLUTCH ACADEMY (BET)





[04/16/25 - 12:16 PM]
Video: "Full Speed" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Tales of triumph and tenacity fuel this high-octane sports docuseries following NASCAR Cup Series drivers on and off the track during the 2024 playoffs.

[04/16/25 - 10:07 AM]
Video: "The Children of October 7" - Official Trailer - Paramount+
They witnessed what no child should ever see. For the first time, they're telling their story.

[04/16/25 - 10:02 AM]
Best Idea Wins in NBC's One-of-a-Kind Business Competition Series "On Brand with Jimmy Fallon"
The series will be hosted, executive produced and created by Fallon based on his experience and expertise working with an impressive list of his own global partnerships in the auto, insurance, apparel, gaming and technology industries.

[04/16/25 - 10:00 AM]
"Adult Best Friends" Begins Streaming Exclusively on Max May 2
The film stars Delaney Buffett, Katie Corwin, Zachary Quinto, Mason Gooding and Cazzie David.

[04/16/25 - 09:36 AM]
FX's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" Season 17 Premieres Wednesday, July 9 on FXX
The new season will include The Gang's take on meeting ABC's "Abbott Elementary" in the conclusion to the highly-anticipated crossover.

[04/16/25 - 09:30 AM]
Epic Tale of Love, Legacy, and Longing, "Outlander: Blood of My Blood" to Premiere Friday, August 8, on Starz
"Outlander: Blood of my Blood" brings viewers from the war-torn battlefields of WWI to the sweeping Highlands of 18th century Scotland, promising two new love stories filled with loyalty, passion and desire, as the young couples defy the forces that seek to tear them apart.

[04/16/25 - 09:01 AM]
Kai Parham and Michael Ealy Cast in "The Greatest," The First Authorized Scripted Series on Ali's Life
Parham will play Rudy Clay, Muhammad Ali's brother, with Ealy set to recur as Malcolm X.

[04/16/25 - 09:00 AM]
Nate Bargatze to Host The "77th Emmy Awards," Broadcasting Live Coast to Coast, Sunday, Sept. 14 on CBS
"It's a huge honor to be asked to host such an iconic awards show and I'm beyond excited to work with CBS to create a night that can be enjoyed by families around the world," said Bargatze.

[04/16/25 - 09:00 AM]
Paramount+'s Much-Anticipated "1923" Finale Explodes with 14 Million Global Viewers
The finale episode has become the most watched episode ever for the series - up +41% compared to last season's finale of 10 million viewers, with the full season average up +46% in comparison to season one.

[04/16/25 - 09:00 AM]
A Gripping Murder Mystery Unravels This Spring: "Scrublands" Returns Thursday May 29 on AMC+
Filmed in the stunning landscapes of Augusta, Western Australia, the second season sees Luke Arnold and Bella Heathcote reprise their roles following the critically acclaimed first season.

[04/16/25 - 08:34 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Official Trailer for Season 2 of Emmy Award-Winning Original Series "Poker Face"
The show's critically-acclaimed first season received four Primetime Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Natasha Lyonne, and garnered Peacock its first Emmy win for Judith Light's Outstanding Guest Actress Performance in a Comedy Series.

[04/16/25 - 08:07 AM]
Video: Andscape Announces Premiere and Debuts Trailer for Documentary on Motocross Star Malcolm Stewart, "Stewart 27," Coming to ESPN+ April 27th
The exciting new documentary is about the trailblazing motocross racer Malcolm Stewart.

[04/16/25 - 08:01 AM]
HGTV Orders New Seasons of Hit Series "Ugliest House in America" and "Scariest House in America" Starring Actress and Comedian Retta
During both series, Retta travels the United States to tour properties nominated by homeowners who believe their place is one of the ugliest - or scariest - in the country.

[04/16/25 - 08:00 AM]
Season Three of the HBO Original Drama Series "The Gilded Age" Debuts This June
The series returns for its eight-episode third season this June on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.

[04/16/25 - 07:24 AM]
Series Premiere of "Mini Reni" - Coming to Magnolia Network on Wednesday, May 14 at 8p/7c
Known for her large-scale renovations, Joanna Gaines takes on the challenge to renovate three rooms in one week.